As fall approaches and Halloween lurks around the corner, we decided to share this “Jack-o’-lantern” piece as October's quilt of the month.  

Possibly made in Florida circa 1934, this hand-quilted piece features bright cotton fabrics with red binding and white backing. It’s one of many Mountain Mist patterns that emerged nearly a century ago.

In 1929, after entering the cotton manufacturing business nearly 75 years prior, the Sterns & Foster Company began utilizing colorful packaging for its cotton batting products. In addition to bright hues, the packaging also featured illustrations of traditional and appliquéd quilt patterns. As a bit of clever marketing, the Ohio-based company began printing free patterns and instructions for the designs illustrated on Mountain Mist products. Over time, 132 patterns were offered, some of which reached the pinnacle of popularity among the quiltmakers of the time.

These patterns were tested by expert quiltmakers before being distributed. And many quilts made from these patterns were shown in stores to garner interest.

This quilt was donated to the IQM in 2022 from the collection of Bill and Linda Volckening.